Emirates Fifth Freedom Miami

In February 2024, Emirates announced that it would start daily service to Bogotá, Colombia. But instead of serving the Colombian capital from its Dubai hub, Emirates announced it would be flying non-stop out of Miami, instead. That's right, Emirates will have another fifth freedom to/from the US. Emirates' fifth freedom from Miami to Bogotá is now bookable through the Emirates Skywards program. It is also bookable through partner airline Air Canada's Aeroplan program!

Booking with Emirates Skywards

Ever since the Emirates fifth freedom from Miami to Bogotá was announced, I had been checking Emirates' website regularly to see when it would become bookable. But I could never get Bogotá to show up as a valid destination or departure airport.

But then I stumbled into something by accident. Doing an advanced search on Emirates' website allows you to select Bogotá as a valid destination.

To access the advanced search page, just click on “Advanced search: multi-city, promo codes, partner airlines” from the search box in the main page, per the above screenshot.

The advanced search page works great and shows lots of availability throughout the year starting in June, when the route will go into operation.

Booking with Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada Aeroplan has had a partnership with Emirates for a while now through which Aeroplan members can redeem points to fly the famous Gulf carrier. Therefore, it's no surprise that this route is now also available on Aeroplan's website.

I had some points sitting in my Aeroplan account, so I made a test booking. The flight ticketed immediately and I received two booking references, one for Aeroplan and one for Emirates. I plugged my Emirates booking reference into Emirates' website and was able to select my seat.

Emirates Fifth Freedom Miami: Booking Cost

There are two options for booking this Emirates flight, as discussed above. let's take a look at both and see which one offers us the best value for our miles.

Emirates Cost For The Flight

This new Emirates fifth freedom Miami route is now the cheapest option to experience the Gulf carrier out of a US airport. Emirates charges 22,500 miles, 52,500 miles, and 60,500 miles one-way in economy, business, and first class. Taxes/fees cap out at $105.30 for business or first class.

While the amount of miles and cash isn't exorbitant, keep in mind the flight clocks in at just under 4 hours.

The rate for economy is actually a good deal for this flight. By comparison, Aeroplan charges 20,000 miles for this same itinerary on Star Alliance member Avianca.

Aeroplan Cost For The Flight

Now let's take a look at the cost for the new Emirates fifth freedom Miami via Air Canada Aeroplan, which is is a transfer partner of Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Bilt. Aeroplan has a separate award chart for Emirates redemptions. Those rates are much higher than for Aeroplan's other partners (including Etihad, curiously).

Economy seats go for 27,500 points one-way, which isn't bad. But 60,500 points for business class and 124,300 points for first (both one-way) is steep for a flight less than 4 hours long. Taxes/fees are flat at $97 CAD across all three classes, making it cheaper for business and first, but actually more expensive for economy.

As with most other fifth freedom routes on Emirates, it is cheaper in general to book directly with Emirates than with Aeroplan. This is because Emirates' fifth freedom routes are exempt from the carrier's notoriously high fuel surcharges.

New Fifth Freedom Flight: ToP Thoughts

Emirates' fifth freedom from Miami to Bogotá, Colombia is now bookable with points via Emirates Skywards and Air Canada Aeroplan. For whatever reason, you need to select the advanced search option on the Emirates website to search this route. As with other Emirates fifth freedom flights, it's cheaper to book via Emirates than Aeroplan. Regardless of which option you choose to book, this is now the cheapest way to experience the Gulf carrier out of a US airport.

Do you plan on booking this route? Come share your thoughts in our Facebook group!